2016 SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France – February 5, 2016 – There was a mystical atmosphere today in Flégère ski area as the clouds parted an unveiled the snow-capped peaks of one of Europe’s most legendary freeride venues. Riders in each of the four divisions, male and female, ski and snowboard, raised the bar for their respective sports and shook up the the overall rankings for the 2016 Swatch Freeride World Tour.

MATILDA RAPAPORT (SWE) © freerideworldtour.com / JEREMY BERNARD

After a rocky start, this winter has been kind to Chamonix as heavy snows have blanked the magnificent peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge range in recent days. More snow fell than expected last night and riders were unexpectedly treated to between 50-100cm of fresh snow over the at the 2500m elevation level. Despite the heavy snowfall, some parts of the Alaska-like Aiguille Pourrie face still had some hard snow exposed due to wind, causing trouble for some riders.

SKI MEN

Overall ski men rankings were shook up today as top riders such as Jérémie Heitz (SUI) and George Rodney (USA) put all their eggs in one basket and lost their bets after crashing on big airs. Loïc Collomb-Patton (FRA) took home his third victory in Chamonix with a powerful line featuring an impressive backflip. Young gun Logan Pehota (CAN) also fired some tricks after stomping an impressive line resulting in a second place finish. Fabio Studer (AUT) brought his new school style to the competition venue and impressed spectators with stylish spins, bringing him into third place.

SKI WOMEN

Eva Walkner (AUT) demonstrated her trademark powerful and technical skiing to once again bring home a victory at Chamonix for the former world champ. The talented Silvia Moser (ITA) set the bar high with two massive airs that she took larger and more stylishly than any riders – male or female. The desire to win was evident in Matilda Rappaport (SWE) as she skied with incredible authority and very smooth style which earned her a third place finish.

SNOWBOARD MEN

The North American snowboarders swept the podium with the reigning champ Sammy Leubke (USA) throwing down a huge line with two massive 360s to take first place. Following closely into second place, Jamie Rizzuto (CAN) made extremely quick work of the face, terminating his hard-charging line with a massive air. Veteran shredder Ralph Backstrom (USA) took a creative line and found perfect transition on the featured face, putting him in third place.

SNOWBOARD WOMEN

The female snowboarder field stepped it over the last stop in Vallnord-Arcalis, Andorra. Anne-Flore Marxer (SUI-FRA) didn’t hold anything back out of the gate as her hard-charging line brought her into the top position on the podium as she made her way down to the finish with maximum speed. The current leader and world champion Estelle Balet (SUI) took a beautiful line in excellent snow with a sizeable cliff but was not able to retain the top spot on the podium, resulting in second place. Rookie Marion Haetry (FRA) didn’t demonstrate any lack of experience as she was able to negotiate a very technical line with very little hesitation, scoring her a third place finish.

STAY TUNED AS RIDERS PREPARE FOR THE THIRD STOP OF THE SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR IN FIEBERBRUNN KITZBUHELER ALPEN, AUSTRIA ON MARCH 6, 2016.

The next stop on the 2016 Swatch Freeride World Tour is coming up in a just a few weeks but in the mean time check out the Freeride Junior Tour by DaKine Chamonix event tomorrow, February 6. If you missed any of today’s action, you can check out the replay at www.freerideworldtour.com and share your favorite moment on social media thanks to the new tagging system.

Press Release
FWT Management
February 5, 2016